Concert Recordings

2018 Yuletide

2023 Festival of Voices

2023 Yuletide

2024 SDACDA Conference

Information on Music Sung by the Statesmen this Year

Notes:

• This year's Yuletide's theme is light

• Combined Choir Performances will comprise more than 225 voices and often the concert band.

• Official repertoire is determined the moment the program handouts are printed and though likely, the indications below may not be perfect. Nevertheless, these are pieces that may be chosen for any given concert since they are what we are working on.

Inveni David by Anton Bruckner (Spring Concerts) (SDACDA) (See Recording)

Latin Psalm 88: 

Inveni David servum meum,

oleo sancto meo unxi eum.

Manus enim mea auxiliabitur ei

et brachium meum confortabit eum.

Alleluja.

English Psalm 89 (88 in some translations): 

I have found David, my servant;

I have anointed him with my holy oil.

For my hand shall aid him

and my arm shall strengthen him.

Alleluia.

This is my Song arr. Charles Hathaway Jagger (Spring Concerts)

A poem written by Lloyd Stone (1912–1993) Lloyd Stone's words were set to the Finlandia hymn melody composed by Jean Sibelius in an a cappella arrangement by Ira B. Wilson. This song is a response to the World War mentalities that dehumanized the opposition. It contradicts the thought that since I love my country, people who live in other countries don't love their country or are of less importance.

TBB arrangement of "How can I keep from singing?" (Spring Concerts)

 My life flows on in endless song;

   Above earth's lamentation,

  I catch the sweet, tho' far-off hymn

   That hails a new creation;

  Thro' all the tumult and the strife

   I hear the music ringing;

  It finds an echo in my soul—

   How can I keep from singing?

  What tho' my joys and comforts die?

   The Lord my Saviour liveth;

  What tho' the darkness gather round?

   Songs in the night he giveth.

  No storm can shake my inmost calm

   While to that refuge clinging;

  Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

   How can I keep from singing?

  I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;

   I see the blue above it;

  And day by day this pathway smooths,

   Since first I learned to love it,

  The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

   A fountain ever springing;

  All things are mine since I am his—

   How can I keep from singing?

Bonny Wood Green arr. Stephen Hatfield (Spring Concerts)

"A ballad from World War I, still sung in Irish pubs today. The Irish were unenthusiastic about entering the war on the British side, but once the decision had been made there were surprisingly large numbers of volunteers. The divided loyalties of the Irish soldiers cannot have made their ordeal in the trenches any easier." The Soldier laments the situation and romantically and nostalgically recalls his wife amid dire battle.

Loch Lomond arr. Jonathan Quick (Spring Concerts)

The song is from the point of view of the soldier who will be executed: When he sings, "ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road" in effect he is saying that you will return alive, and I will return in spirit. He remembers his happy past, "By yon bonnie banks ... where me and my true love were ever wont to gae [accustomed to go]" and sadly accepts his death "the broken heart it ken nae [knows no] second Spring again."

Wildflowers by Tom Petty (Chanticleer)

The is was a late Addition to the Rep. The choral arrangement is going to have a very different feel than the original. But here are the lyrics:

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

Sail away, kill off the hours

You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, find you a lover

Go away somewhere all bright and new

I have seen no other

Who compares with you

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

You belong with your love on your arm

You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, go find a lover

Run away, let your heart be your guide

You deserve deepest of cover

You belong in that home by and by

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong somewhere close to me

Far away from your trouble and worry

You belong somewhere you feel free

You belong somewhere you feel free

Ave Maria by Frank Biebel (Chanticleer) (SDACDA) (Yuletide) (See Recording) 

The Traditional Angelus prayer intertwined with the Hail Mary in Latin.

Pray this by cicking here

Main Prayer Latin:

Ave, María, grátia plena,

Dóminus tecum.

Benedicta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris

tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatoribus

nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.

Amen.

Main Prayer English:

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now

and at the hour of our death. Amen.

First Solo Latin: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae Et concepit de Spiritu sancto.

First Solo English: The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary and She conceived by the Holy Spirit

Second Solo Latin: Maria dixit: Ecce ancilla Domini. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum

Second Solo English: Mary said: Behold the Handmaid of the Lord. May it be done unto me according to thy word

Third Solo Latin: Et Verbum caro factum est Et habitavit in nobis.

Third Solo English: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us

Non nobis, Domine by Rosephanye Powell (Spring Concerts) (SDACDA)

Short rhythmic phrases repeating and building on top of one another, contrasting sections, a dynamic and rewarding conclusion.

Latin: Non nobis, Domine, tuo da gloriam/sed tuo da gloriam

English: Not to us, O Lord, to you/but to your name give the glory.

The Pasture (Lyrics from Robert Frost Poem) arr. Randall Thompson (Spring Concerts)

A Love story on a farm in the 1800s, combining youthful affection with agricultural context/lyrics.

O Holy Child TTBB by Michael Cox (Yuletide) (SDACDA)

This a brief song, a reflection on the meaning of the Christ child. It is very expressive and flowing combined with a correlating "reaction" to the verse in a chorus of alleluias.

Glow by Eric Whitacre (Yuletide) (SDACDA)

Tri-Valley sang this in the SATB arrangement when I was in high school. It is very majestic and made to provide an image of the first winter snow.

Lyrics: 

Softly falls the winter snow,

whispers to the sleeping world below:

Wintertide awakes,

morning breaks and sets the earth aglow.

In gentle tones of warmest white,

Proclaim the glory of Auroroa's light.

Sparrow wings in a clear clean voice,

a sweet, silver carol for the season born.

Radiant wings as the skies rejoice,

Arise and illuminate the morn.

Softly falls the winter snow,

whispers to the sleeping world below:

Glow, like the softly falling snow.

Soon Ah Will Be Done by William Dawson (SDACDA) (See Recording)

This song is an example of field songs that African Americans would sing while in the fields. Sometimes they would just sing to pass by the time. Other times these songs would have a deeper meaning. Soon Ah Will Be Done is an example of all these things. Throught the lyrics and the musical elements. The song starts out pianissimo with the lyrics "soon ah will be done wid de troubles of de world". These lyrics evoke an emotion of secrecy, like they are trying to hide what they are saying, like a code. Much of this song is sung in the style of a broken chorale. It also has a section where it goes into a polyphonic sounding section. This song is basically a prayer that the African slaves would sing, for hope for a better day. The entire song is sung A Cappella, which is a typical thing for African American spirituals. Istruments were not brought into the working field. The song is meant to be sung Allegro, but it can be interpreted differently. The dynamics that are given are specific ques for when the music needs to grow or back off; Because the lines rise and fall, it gives the contrast needed to differentiate what the people are saying.  

"O Love" by Elaine Hagenberg (SDACDA) (See Recording)

 A prayer emphasizing the life God intends to bring and His nature of Love.

Holy and the Ivy by Mark Patterson (Yuletide) (See Recording)

Lyrics: 

The holly and the ivy

When they are both full grown

Of all trees that are in the wood

The holly bears the crown

O, the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing in the choir

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Dan Forrest (Combined Choir Performance) (Yuletide)

Much like the Festival first Nowell, this is a traditional piece made to incorporate many voices and instruments.

Verse 1 Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King:

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th'angelic hosts proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain:

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King"

Verse 2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of the Virgin's womb:

veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail th'incarnate Deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]

Verse 3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth,

born to give us second birth. [Refrain]

Festival First Nowell by Dan Forrest (Combined Choir Performance) (Yuletide)

A very long, more musical arrangement of the First Noel Hymn. Scored for mixed voices, brass quintet, organ, timpani and multiple percussion, this soundtrack for the epic story of Christ's birth is absolutely extraordinary!

O Holy Night by Gary Fry (Combined Choir Performance) (Yuletide)  (See Recording)

This is one of those hymns that are best sung loud, and the number of voices should accomplish this greatly.

Lyrics: 

[Verse 1]

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

[Verse 2]

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming

Here come the Wise Men from Orient land

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger

In all our trials born to be our friend

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

[Verse 3]

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His Gospel is Peace

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name, all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us Praise His Holy name

Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!

His power and glory evermore proclaim

His power and glory evermore proclaim